Rotating seal ring component kit for a mechanical split seal

ABSTRACT

A rotating seal ring component kit is provided which comprises a seal ring having a split dividing the seal ring into at least two sections configured to fit around a shaft, a clamp ring having a split dividing the clamp ring into at least two sections configured to circumferentially surround the seal ring, each clamp ring section having tabs which cooperate with corresponding tabs on another clamp ring section to permit assembly of the clamp ring sections around the seal ring; and a housing having a split dividing the housing into at least two sections configured to fit around the shaft, the housing including first and second notches configured to receive the tabs so as to prevent rotation of the clamp ring relative to the housing. A snap ring may be utilized to provide preliminary assembly of the clamp ring sections.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

I. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to mechanical split seals for sealingalong a shaft and, more specifically, to a rotating seal ring componentkit including the parts for a rotating seal ring component of amechanical split seal and including the method of assembling those partsinto a rotating seal ring component.

II. Background Information

Equipment such as pumps operate in an environment in which a rotatingshaft must be sealed around its periphery to prevent fluids fromentering into or exiting from a housing adjacent the shaft. In certaininstallations sealing elements in such equipment are relativelyinaccessible. To avoid the effort and time required to completelydisassemble such equipment, split seal rings may be used as the sealingelements which comprise a plurality of split elements surrounding ashaft rather than non-split elements. Replacement of the sealingelements may thus be accomplished without having to slide a solid sealring off the shaft or disassemble other non-split to permit removal of asolid seal ring. The split seal rings are simply disassembled andremoved from around the shaft.

Normally, two opposing split seal rings are provided. One is stationary(i.e., non-rotating) and the other rotates. Typically, each split sealring comprises two halves extending 180 degrees to constitute a completeseal ring. However, it is possible to split a ring into three or morepieces. Accordingly, the terms "halves" or "sections" in thisapplication as applied to seal rings or any other element of amechanical split seal, are intended to reference at least two pieces andmay, therefore, include three or more pieces.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,370,401 issued to Sandgren (the "Sandgren patent")discloses a mechanical split seal comprising a pair of seal ring halveswhich are configured to fit around a shaft and rotate, and a pair ofseal ring halves which are stationary. The assembly of parts whichmounts the rotating seal ring halves to the shaft may be referred to asa rotating seal ring component of a mechanical split seal and the partswhich make up the rotating seal ring component of a mechanical splitseal may be referred to as a rotating seal ring component kit. Arotating seal ring component kit may be distributed independently toreplace a rotating seal ring component or may be distributed as part ofa mechanical split seal kit which includes parts not only for therotating seal ring component but also for the remaining components of amechanical split seal.

The rotating seal ring component disclosed in the Sandgren patentcomprises a split seal ring made up of a pair of seal ring halvesconfigured to fit around a shaft, and a split housing made up of a pairof housing halves configured to circumferentially surround the seal ringhalves. An o-ring is interposed between the seal ring halves and thehousing halves to support the seal ring in the housing.

Rotating seal ring components of this type do not employ any rigidclamping of the seal ring halves but rather rely upon pressure exertedthrough the o-ring and/or from fluid external to the seal ring halves tohold the seal ring halves together. Other examples of this type ofrotating seal ring component may be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 4,576,384issued to Azibert and U.S. Pat. No. 3,244,425 issued to Wilkinson.

The non-rigidly clamped seal ring configurations represented by theSandgren, Azibert, and Wilkinson patents are distinguished from priorart mechanical split seal arrangements in which there is rigidmechanical clamping employed to hold seal ring halves together. Oneexample of a rigid mechanical clamping arrangement is illustrated inU.S. Pat. No. 3,101,200 issued to Tracy.

An object of the present invention is to provide a rotating seal ringcomponent and related kit and method of assembly in which the seal ringhalves are mechanically clamped together around a shaft by rigid, hardsurface to hard surface contact.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth inpart in the description which follows and in part will be obvious fromthe description or may be learned by practice of the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To achieve the foregoing objects, and in accordance with the purposes ofthe invention as embodied and broadly described herein, a rotating sealring component kit is provided which comprises a seal ring having asplit dividing the seal ring into at least two sections configured tofit around a shaft; a clamp ring having a split dividing the clamp ringinto at least two sections configured to circumferentially surround theseal ring, the clamp ring sections each having tabs which cooperate withcorresponding tabs on another clamp ring section to permit assembly ofthe clamp ring sections around the seal ring; and a housing having asplit dividing said housing into at least two sections configured to fitaround the shaft, the housing including first and second notchesconfigured to receive the tabs so as to prevent rotation of the clampring relative to the housing.

The notches of the housing preferably have an interior configuration andthe tabs of the clamp ring preferably have an exterior configuration tofixedly hold the clamp ring in the housing upon initial rotation of theclamp ring. Specifically, the axial dimension of the tabs preferably isless than one axial dimension of the notches to permit the tabs to beinserted into the notches but greater than a second axial dimension ofthe notches to allow the interaction of tabs and notches to fixedly holdthe clamp ring in the housing upon initial rotation of the clamp ring.

The seal ring may include an outer circumferential groove having anaxial width greater than the axial width of the clamp ring in order toassist in positioning of the clamp ring around the seal ring. The tabsof the clamp ring may also include either captured screws orcorresponding threaded holes to receive the screws in order tofacilitate assembly of the clamp ring sections around the seal ring.

It is also preferable that the seal ring include at least one markpositioned to permit a preset radial mis-alignment between the seal ringand the clamp ring. Preferably, this preset radial mis-alignmentpositions the split of the seal ring sections, in a two-sectionconfiguration, in the range of 30 degrees to 50 degrees (and preferablyapproximately 38 degrees) from the tabs. This radial mis-alignment hasbeen found to minimize the adverse effect of any flexing of the sealring once mechanically secured into position by the clamp ring.

Still further, in order to facilitate assembly of the parts of therotating seal ring component kit of the subject invention, it is furtherpreferable there be provided a snap ring and that the seal ring includesan outer circumferential recess of sufficient dimension to receive thesnap ring to thereby temporarily hold the seal ring sections in positionand yet permit assembly of the clamp ring over the snap ring for finalmechanical assembly of the clamp ring around the seal ring.

The invention of the subject application is directed not only toward thekit comprising the parts of a rotating seal ring component as set forthabove but also toward the resultant rotating seal ring component whenthe parts of the kit are assembled.

Still further, it is contemplated that the subject invention includesand encompasses a method of mounting a rotating seal ring component on ashaft comprising the steps of positioning sections of a split seal ringaround a shaft; assembling sections of a clamp ring around the seal ringto circumferentially surround the seal ring, each clamp ring sectionhaving tabs which cooperate with corresponding tabs on another clampring section to permit assembly of the clamp ring sections around theseal ring; and assembling sections of a split housing around the shaft,the housing sections including first and second notches, with this stepof assembling including positioning the tabs in the notches to restrictrelative rotation between the housing and the clamp ring.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a mechanical split seal showingassembled parts of a rotating seal ring component kit incorporating theteachings of the subject invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded isometric view of the parts of a rotating sealring component kit illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the rotating seal ring component of FIG. 1taken along the line 3--3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the tabs and notches of therotating seal ring component of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of anassembled rotating seal ring component kit incorporating the teachingsof the present invention;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are cross-sectional views of yet additional alternativeembodiments of an assembled rotating seal ring component kitincorporating the teachings of the subject invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates the bending moment in a pair of rigidly assembledseal ring sections subjected to two axial forces 180 degrees apart andto balancing system forces extending along the periphery of theassembled seal ring sections; and

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of yet another embodiment of assembled partsof a rotating seal ring component kit incorporating the teachings of thepresent invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodimentof the subject invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Simply stated, the subject invention is directed toward parts of arotating seal ring component for a mechanical split seal which make up akit in disassembled form and which make up an actual rotating seal ringcomponent in assembled form, which rotating seal ring component may beutilized in a conventional mechanical split seal. For example, there isincluded in FIG. 1 a cross-sectional view of parts of a prior artmechanical split seal of the type illustrated in the Sandgren patentreferenced above which may be used with the rotating seal ringcomponents incorporating the teachings of the subject invention as arealso shown in FIG. 1. Thus, it should be understood that the subjectinvention is directed only toward the parts of the rotating sealcomponent kit and is not directed toward the additional portions of aconventional or prior art mechanical split seal. Those additionalportions illustrated in FIG. 1 are, therefore, by way of example and notlimitation.

The mechanical split seal illustrated in FIG. 1 is assembled about ashaft 10. The mechanical split seal of FIG. 1 comprises stationaryhousing 12 which includes gland 14, cap 16, gland packing 18, and glandscrews 22. Cap 16 represents a stationary portion of a pump housing orthe like through which shaft 10 extends to form recess 24. It is thefunction of the mechanical split seal of FIG. 1 to seal off recess 24located between shaft 10 and cap 16. Accordingly, gland 14 is retainedto cap 16 in a sealed relationship through operation of cap screws 20.Gland packing 18 is interposed between cap 16 and gland 14 to provide asealed relationship. Gland 14 may be split into 180 degree portions andfastened to each other through operation of gland screws 22 or in thealternative gland 14 may be constructed in a single unitary form.

The mechanical split seal of FIG. 1 includes a rotating seal ringcomponent described below and a non-rotating seal ring component 26.Non-rotating seal ring component 26 is illustrated in FIG. 1 asincluding a split non-rotating seal ring 28, retaining or snap ring 30,finger spring 32, finger spring retainer 34, and o-ring 36.

As should be appreciated by those skilled in the art, split non-rotatingseal ring 28 may comprise a brittle material such as carbon that can becracked into two or more sections through the imposition of properlyapplied tension forces. Depending upon the materials used, the walls atsplits forming the sections can be relatively smooth or rough.Nevertheless, by reassembling the split sections into a wholenon-rotating seal ring, a sealing surface may be defined. In theembodiment of FIG. 1, split non-rotating seal ring 28 is held togetherthrough the utilization of snap ring 30. Ring 30 is positioned in anouter circumferentially positioned recess of split non-rotating sealring 28. Thus, a person assembling non-rotating seal ring component 26would first position the sections of split non-rotating seal ring 28around shaft 10 in an aligned orientation, and push the retaining orsnap ring 30 into the outer circumferential recess in seal ring 28 tohold those seal ring sections together. Once ring 30 is in place, it istypically difficult if not impossible to realign the sections of sealring 28 with respect to one another, particularly when a brittlematerial is used to form seal ring 28 so as to result in substantialroughness on the exposed walls of the splits in seal ring 28.Accordingly, manual alignment of the sections of seal ring 28 isrequired prior to positioning of ring 30 around seal ring 28.

After positioning of ring 30, and provided the rotating seal ringcomponent has already been positioned, gland 14 may be assembled overthe outer circumference of seal ring 28. In an embodiment in which gland14 comprises two separated halves, those halves are reassembled usinggland screws 22. In the case of a unitary gland 14, gland 14 is slidover the outer circumferential surface of seal ring 28.

As is shown in FIG. 1, o-ring 36 is interposed between gland 14 and sealring halves 28. Preferably, o-ring 36 is split into two sections butnevertheless provides sealing between shaft 10 and seal ring 28 ando-ring 36 also preferably provides resilient support for seal ring 28which prevents a bottoming out or touching of seal ring 28 and gland 14.This may be accomplished, as should be understood by those skilled inthe art, through the choice of relative dimensions for o-ring 36, theslot or recess in gland 14 holding o-ring 36, the inside circumferentialopening defined by gland 14 and the outer circumferential surfacedefined by that portion of seal ring 28 adjacent o-ring 36. Preferably ameaningful gap is maintained between gland 14 and seal ring 28 duringoperating conditions.

Conventionally, seal ring 28 is urged axially along shaft 10 toward arotating seal ring which will be described below. This urging isaccomplished in the embodiment of FIG. 1 through operation of fingerspring 32. Finger spring 32 preferably comprises a split annular fingerspring in the form of a diaphragm spring having radially inwardlyextending segments or fingers that may be of equal dimensions and thatare separated by radial grooves. The split in finger spring 32preferably is oriented so as to position two of the fingers across thesplits defining the sections of seal ring 28. In addition, it ispreferable that the rear portion of seal ring 28 which comes in contactwith finger spring 32 has at least one indent into which a finger ofspring 32 may be inserted so as to prevent relative rotation of sealring 28 with respect to finger spring 32 and, therefore, with respect togland 14. This is a simple and preferable arrangement for maintainingseal ring 28 stationary. Finger spring retainer 34 preferably is alsosplit and is dimensioned to protect finger spring 32 while at the sametime permitting a certain degree of flex in the fingers of finger spring32. However, it should be understood that the invention which is thesubject of this application may be practiced with a non-rotating sealring component not employing the specific features of the non-rotatingseal ring component 26 illustrated in FIG. 1.

In accordance with the teachings of the present invention there isprovided a rotating seal ring component kit comprising a number of partsincluding at least a seal ring having a split dividing the seal ringinto at least two sections configured to fit around the shaft, a clampring having a split dividing the clamp ring into at least two sectionsconfigured to circumferentially surround the seal ring halves, and ahousing having a split dividing the housing into at least two sectionsconfigured to fit around the shaft, with the clamp ring and the housingincluding respective tabs and notches oriented to prevent rotation ofthe clamp ring relative to the housing.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1includes, by way of example and not limitation, a rotating seal ringcomponent 40. Rotating seal ring component 40 is shown to comprise aseal ring 42, a clamp ring 44, a housing 46, and a retainer or snap ring48. As noted in the background, the term "halves" or "sections" asapplied to the seal ring, the clamp ring, and the housing is not meantto be limited to two identical pieces but rather is meant to convey thateach of these items is divided or split into two or more piecescircumferentially. Thus, the terms "halves" or "sections" as usedthroughout this application should be broadly interpreted to encompass aconfiguration in which the seal ring, clamp ring and/or housing wascircumferentially divided into any number of circumferential pieceseither of the same or different circumferential dimension.

As might be better seen in FIG. 2, seal ring 42 has a split 50 dividingseal ring 42 into at least two sections 42', 42" For example, split ring42 may comprise a generally conventional split seal ring made up ofconventional seal ring materials such as carbon which has been split,cracked or otherwise separated into two separate halves. Preferably, asto split ring 42, each split leaves a jagged or rough edge of sufficientcontour so as to retard and/or prevent any relative movement of the endsonce manually aligned and split ring 42 is reassembled into a rigidnon-split ring by operation of clamp ring 44.

Features which may be said to distinguish seal ring 42 from aconventional seal ring include the imposition of an outercircumferential groove 52 and an outer circumferential recess 54. Aswill be explained in more detail below, outer circumferential groove 52preferably has an axial width greater than the axial width of clamp ring44 to thereby permit a general orientation or positioning of clamp ring44 about the outer circumference of seal ring 42. In addition, as willbe discussed in more detail below, recess 54 is preferably includedwithin groove 52 and has sufficient dimension to receive snap ring 48while nevertheless permitting assembly of clamp ring 44 over snap ring48.

When assembled, as should be appreciated by those skilled in the art,seal ring 42 presents a rotating sealing surface to non-rotating sealring 28 so as to form an effective fluid seal of recess 24 withinstationary housing 12.

Clamp ring 44 has a split 51 dividing clamp ring 44 into at least twosections 44', 44." The term "split" is meant to reference a divisioninto two parts, which may be accomplished either by splitting a solidpart or by fabricating two separate parts. It is preferable that clampring 44 be formed from two separately fabricated parts and that clampring 44 forms an essentially closed ring which extends less than 360degrees when placed around clamp seal ring 42, thus resulting in a gap62 (see FIG. 4) between the ends when clamped together. This gap allowsclamp ring 44, when circumferentially positioned around seal ring 42, toclamp seal ring 42 into a rigid non-split ring configuration. Clamp ring44 may, for example, be formed from a bent strip of stainless steel, butalso might be constructed through machining of a solid ring of metal.The ends of clamp ring 44 extend radially outward to form tabs 56 asbest seen in FIG. 2. As will be discussed in more detail below, tabs 56are configured to engage notches in housing 46 to fixedly position clampring 44 with respect to housing 46. Housing 46 has a split 72 dividinghousing 46 into at least two sections 46', 46". Housing 46 is preferablyfabricated by actually cutting or separating a solid part into sections46', 46", thereby creating split 72.

As noted above, in a preferred embodiment, seal ring 42 has been splitso as to provide rough fission walls on the outer surfaces of the split50. Thus, when the two (or more) seal ring sections 42', 42" are fittedtogether over the shaft, the rough fissure walls at the resultant splitsmay be utilized to accurately, manually align the two sections together.After this alignment has been manually accomplished, snap ring 48 isinserted in place to hold seal ring sections 42', 42" in alignment.Preferably the opening of snap ring 48 should be positioned at the splitof one of seal ring sections 42', 42", as shown in FIG. 2. Thisoperation may be accomplished by a single operator without the need forinvolvement of multiple individuals. The operator undertaking thisassembly must assure through sight and/or feel that seal ring sections42', 42" are properly aligned since there preferably can be and will beno relative movement of seal ring sections 42', 42" once there has beencomplete assembly of the rotating seal ring component parts. It shouldbe understood that while recess 54 is helpful in providing a roughalignment of seal ring sections 42', 42", there is no need for a highdegree of accuracy in the positioning of recess 54 into which snap ring48 is inserted provided there is reliance on manual alignment of sealring sections 42', 42", through physical touch and/or sight. Thus, thewidth of recess 54 into which snap ring 48 is inserted may be slightlylarger than the width of snap ring 48.

After positioning of snap ring 48, clamp ring 44 is next assembledaround the outer circumference of seal ring 42.

As will be discussed in more detail below, split 50 in seal ring 42 ispreferably mis-aligned with split 51 in clamp ring 44 by approximately30 to 50 degrees. To accomplish this mis-alignment, a mis-alignment mark58 may be imprinted, engraved or otherwise affixed to seal ring 42 at aradial position 30 to 50 degrees from split 50 in seal ring 42. Morepreferably, this radial position is in the range of 37 to 39 degreesfrom split 50 in seal ring 42. Thus, the operator who is assembling therotating seal ring component kit simply aligns mis-alignment mark 58with split 51 between tabs 56 of clamp ring 44 to assure the requisiteradial mis-alignment between seal ring 42 and clamp ring 44.

Prior to closure, clamp ring 44 fits loosely in the outercircumferential groove 52 of seal ring 42 so that alignment between twoseal ring sections 42 is completely dependent upon the rough fissurewalls which had been utilized to assure manual alignment prior toinsertion of snap ring 48. The purpose of clamp ring 44 is to rigidlyand securely hold seal ring 42 together into a rigid non-splitconfiguration without relative axial movement between seal ring sections42', 42".

The above-described configuration is best utilized when the split wallsof seal ring 42 are rough. In the case where the seal ring material usedresults in smooth breakage at the splits, there may be a need to provideadditional external alignment of the seal ring sections. An alternativeembodiment to accomplish this result is shown in FIG. 5. In FIG. 5,clamp ring 90 is made from machining a ring with two cone angles thatmate accurately with corresponding machine grooves in the outsidediameter of seal ring 92. Tightening of clamp ring 90 forces thesections of seal ring 92 into alignment. The configuration of FIG. 5 maybe utilized with or without an auxiliary snap ring as illustrated bysnap ring 48 of FIG. 2. Obviously, alignment in the embodiment of FIG. 5is critically dependent upon the accuracy of the machined grooves inseal ring 92. Therefore, the preferable method is to use a seal ringmaterial which results in a sufficiently rough split to accomplishmanual alignment without the need for any external alignment mechanismof the type shown in FIG. 5.

As may be best seen in FIG. 4, clamp ring 44 is configured so as tomaintain a gap 62 between protruding parts or tabs 56 after assemblyaround seal ring 42. This gap 62 is intentional so as to allow tight,rigid connection between clamp ring 44 and seal ring 42. Screws 64 maybe utilized in conjunction with corresponding threads 66 to assure thatclamp ring 44 is tightly secured around seal ring 42. Preferably, screws64 are captive so as to facilitate assembly. In the alternative, one ofscrews 64 may be replaced with a hinge 71 as illustrated, for example,in FIG. 9. Of course, it should be understood that other fasteningdevices such as bolts, clamps, clips, latching levers or the like may beused in place of screws 64, provided that a sufficiently tight fit isaccomplished between clamp ring 44 and seal ring 42 so as to precludeany possibility of axial mis-alignment of seal ring sections 42', 42"once manual alignment has been achieved.

To assure a solid, metal-to-metal mounting relationship between clampring 44 and housing 46, housing 46 is provided with a plurality ofmachined openings or notches 70 in that portion of housing 46 whichwould otherwise cover the outer circumferential surface of clamp ring44. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, notches 70 are configuredat split 72 of housing 46 to have a varying width in the axialdirection. For example, the axial dimension or width of the tabs 56 ispreferably less than one axial or width dimension of notches 70 andgreater than a second axial or width dimension of notches 70. Asillustratively shown in FIG. 4, the axial dimension or width of tabs 56is shown as dimension "a"; the axial dimension or width of notches 70 atsplit 72 between clamp ring sections 44', 44" is "b", where "b" isgreater than "a"; and the width or axial dimension or notches 70 at theends of notches 70 is "c", where "c" is less than "a". Accordingly,during assembly, tabs 56 can be inserted into notches 70 provided theyare positioned to align generally with split 72 between housing sections46', 46." However, as any meaningful rotation occurs between clamp ring44 and housing 46, tabs 56 will quickly encounter the sidewalls ofnotches 70, since dimension "a" of tabs 56 is less than dimension "c" ofnotches 70. As tabs 56 engage the interior walls of notches 70 there isa rigid, metal-to-metal interconnection developed under the force ofattempted continued relative rotation which essentially locks clamp ring44 rigidly into notches 70 of housing 46. Preferably, notches 70 aremachined into housing 46 with a converging angle so that, as notedabove, upon relative rotation between clamp ring 44 and housing 46, tabs56 wedge the two units together providing both non-resilient axialsupport and torque drive.

As should be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the internalcircumferential dimension of housing 46 is selected so as to be slightlygreater than the external circumferential dimension of shaft 10 so as toafford a tight and secure fit of housing 46 on shaft 10. Sealing may beaccomplished in a conventional manner between housing 46 and shaft 10through the utilization of sealing o-ring 80, which may also be splitinto sections. It should be understood that o-ring 80 operates only as asealing member and should not and need not be configured to provide anymeasurable support to seal ring 42. As shown in FIG. 1, it is intendedthat there be a separation or gap 82 between interior wall 84 of thehousing 46 and the non-sealing face interior wall 86 of seal ring 42.Gap 82 eliminates the need for any lapping of either the interior wall84 of housing 46 or the interior wall 86 of sealing ring 42; essentiallythe entire support of sealing ring 42 being affected through the rigidinterconnection of clamp ring 44 with housing 46.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, sealing o-ring 80 operates to sealshaft 10 to seal ring 42 and to housing 46. In an alternative embodimentshown in FIG. 6, the back of seal ring 42a is machined with a conicalwall so that o-ring 80 can operate during assembly to help centersealing ring 42a on shaft 10. In a further alternative, sealing o-ring80 may be replaced with sealing o-ring 96 and sealing o-ring 98 as shownin FIG. 7. Sealing o-ring 96 provides a seal between shaft 10 andhousing 46 whereas, sealing o-ring 98 provides a seal between the outercircumferential surface of seal ring 42b and housing 46. Seal o-ring 96also acts to help center sealing ring 42b on shaft 10. A gasket 100 ispositioned to effect a seal between o-rings 96 and 98. Gasket 100 isrequired if the split 72 between housing sections 46', 46" is notcompletely closed upon assembly and friction is used to hold housing 46on shaft 10. If the surfaces of housing sections 46', 46" are machinedsmooth and permitted to close upon assembly, gasket 100 is not required,but a set screw or the like (not shown) is then needed to fix housing 46to shaft 10. In either event, the embodiment of FIG. 6 is preferred tothat of FIG. 7 since a single o-ring is providing the sealing functionof two o-rings and the embodiment of FIG. 7 results in a mechanicalsplit seal with more axial length.

As mentioned earlier, there preferably is a 30 to 50 degreemis-alignment between the split in seal ring 42 and split 50 in clampring 44. This mis-alignment is preferable because, as mentioned before,the interaction between tabs 56 of clamp ring 44 and notches 70 ofhousing 46 provides fixed, axial connection between seal ring 42 andhousing 46 in two locations, 180 degrees apart; namely, the twolocations where tabs 56 interact with notches 70. The resultant axialforces on these two locations balance all other system forces on sealring 42. Since these system forces are dispersed over the wholecircumference of seal ring 42, they give rise to a bending moment inseal ring 42. This bending moment, as shown in FIG. 8 has a positivemaximum at the tabs 56 of clamp ring 44 and a negative for maximumbending moment 90 degrees therefrom. In between, the bending momentpasses through zero at approximately 37 to 39 degrees, somewhatdependent upon the actual dimensions utilized. By locating the fissuresplit 50 of seal ring 42 close to this location, the performance of thedisclosed designed is enhanced. For example, in testing a 5.25 inchdiameter shaft seal, moving fissure split 50 from 90 degrees from theclamping ring split 44, to the a location of approximately 38 degrees,improved the sealing of the design from leaking at 30 psig to leaking at230 psig. To assure the desired preset mis-alignment for any particularconfiguration, it is preferable that mark 58 be affixed to sealing ring42 as mentioned before.

Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to thoseskilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is not,therefore, limited to the specific details representative methods andillustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures maybe made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope ofapplicants' general inventive concept.

We claim:
 1. A rotating seal ring component kit comprising:a seal ringhaving a split dividing said seal ring into at least two sectionsconfigured to fit around a shaft; a clamp ring having a split dividingsaid clamp ring into at least two sections configured tocircumferentially surround said seal ring, each clamp ring sectionhaving tabs which cooperate with corresponding tabs on another clampring section to permit assembly of said clamp ring sections around saidseal ring sections; and a housing having a split dividing said housinginto at least two sections configured to fit around the shaft, saidhousing including at least one notch for each set of corresponding tabs,each notch configured to receive said tabs so as to prevent rotation ofsaid clamp ring and said seal ring relative to said housing.
 2. Arotating seal ring component kit of claim 1, wherein said notches havean interior configuration and said tabs have an exterior configurationto fixedly hold said clamp ring in said housing upon initial rotation ofsaid clamp ring.
 3. A rotating seal ring component kit of claim 1,wherein the axial dimension of said tabs is less than one axialdimension of said notches and greater than a second axial dimension ofsaid notches.
 4. A rotating seal ring component kit of claim 1, whereinsaid seal ring includes an outer circumferential groove having an axialwidth greater than the axial width of said clamp ring.
 5. A rotatingseal ring component kit of claim 4, further comprising a snap ring andsaid seal ring includes in said groove an outer circumferential recessof sufficient dimension to receive said snap ring and permit assembly ofsaid clamp ring over said snap ring.
 6. A rotating seal ring componentkit of claim 1, wherein said tabs of said clamp ring include eithercaptured screws or corresponding threaded holes to receive said screws.7. A rotating seal ring component kit of claim 1, wherein said housingincludes a surface configured to surround said clamp ring.
 8. A rotatingseal ring component kit of claim 1, wherein said tabs extend radiallyoutward.
 9. A rotating seal ring component kit of claim 1, wherein saidseal ring includes at least one mark positioned to permit a presetradial mis-alignment between said seal ring and said clamp ring.
 10. Arotating seal ring component kit of claim 9, wherein said preset radialmis-alignment positions said seal ring sections in the range of 30degrees to 50 degrees from said tabs.
 11. A rotating seal ring componentkit of claim 10, wherein said preset radial mis-alignment positions saidsplit of said seal ring sections approximately 38 degrees from saidtabs.
 12. A rotating seal ring component kit of claim 1, furthercomprising a snap ring and said seal ring includes an outercircumferential recess of sufficient dimension to receive said snapring.
 13. A rotating seal ring component kit of claim 12, wherein saidrecess is of sufficient depth to permit assembly of said clamp ringhalves over said snap ring.
 14. A rotating seal ring component kit ofany one of claims 1-13, wherein said kit is assembled to form a rotatingseal ring component.
 15. A method of mounting a rotating seal ringcomponent on a shaft comprising the steps ofa. positioning sections of asplit seal ring around the shaft; b. assembling sections of a clamp ringaround said seal ring to circumferentially surround said seal ring, eachclamp ring section having tabs which cooperate with corresponding tabson another clamp ring section to permit assembly of said clamp ringsections around said seal ring; and c. assembling sections of a splithousing around said shaft, said housing sections including first andsecond notches, said step of assembling said pair of housing sectionsincluding positioning said tabs into said notches to restrict relativerotation between said housing and said clamp ring.
 16. A method of claim15, including the step of positioning a snap ring in an outercircumferential recess of said seal ring prior to said step ofassembling said clamp ring around said seal ring.
 17. A method of claim16, including the step of radially mis-aligning said seal ring sectionsand said clamp ring sections so that the ends of said seal ring sectionsare in the range of 30 degrees to 50 degrees from said tabs.
 18. Amethod of claim 17, wherein said mis-alignment is approximately 38degrees.
 19. A rotating seal ring component kit comprising:seal ringmeans for forming a split ring seal; first means for holding said sealring means together; second means for holding said seal ring meanstogether, said second means including at least one projecting member;housing means for coupling said seal ring means axially to a shaft andfor preventing relative rotation between said housing means and saidsecond means by engagement of said projecting member; and means forestablishing a preset radial mis-alignment between said seal ring meansand said second means.
 20. A rotating seal ring component kit of claim19, wherein said kit is assembled to form a rotating seal ringcomponent.